Got my first payment - without cold calling!
I want to thank everyone who contributes for no reason but to help people. I have asked numerous questions and will probably continue to because people here are so helpful.
I am still a believer in cold calling and would actually say that I would likely have much better results and more clients if I did cold calling. But if you read some of my other threads, I currently work full time during business hours. But that did not stop me.
Here is what I did:
1. I paid someone to research websites that are not mobile-optimized and gather contact information.
2. I sent emails to them to offer them mobile websites.
3. If anyone called, I stepped outside at work to answer, and took notes on what they said. If I needed to make any calls to follow up, I did it during breaks.
4. After they gave the go ahead, I showed them a mock version of what their mobile site looks like, then made any changes based on what they said. I am paying someone else to make the mobile sites.
5.Then took payment, then transferred the site.
You can do something similar for whatever service you are offering.
Notice, I did not try to sell or convince anyone, because I simply don't have the time. This way, the only people that reply are people that are interested.
I left out some details, like how I processed payment, how I outsourced, what I wrote in the emails.
Why? Because there are many ways of doing these things, pick one, and go ahead, if it doesn't work pick something else. I also don't have time to write out every single detail.
Just know that I have no experience in copywriting, I work in a lab. I have been studying internet marketing for almost 4 years, made almost nothing, because I kept reading. Took action a few weeks ago, and...
That's just the first client, more are in the process. This is not to brag, but to show everyone that it can be done if you just take action. I am not an overnight millionaire or anything close, but I made something, which is better than nothing.
Also, a small part of my conversation with this first client today. Paraphrasing, not word for word.
C (without being prompted): Thanks, and I will recommend you to all my friends.
Me: Do you have anyone in mind?
C: Yes, two actually. I will talk to them and have all their information for your tomorrow.
Me: Great, their emails and phone number would be great.
This was an easy client to deal with. I have had harder ones. Yes there are more, payments should be made later this week or next week.
I now have to find a way to organize all the different projects so I don't get confused with the links, emails, etc. Its a good problem, but a problem nonetheless. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
FOR FAQs SAKES:
(Ok not all of these are actually in question form, but they are all those negative thoughts holding you back)
Q.Didn't you lose clients by not following up properly, and not trying to sell or convince, since you are working?
A. Maybe, but I also have clients who are going ahead with me, which I wouldn't if I didn't take any action. Its all in your head, not too many ask about your location, or your business hours, a lot of them ask for sample work, but surprisingly not all of them do.
Q. I cannot access email at work.
A. Neither can I. I go home and send them. Or I send them before leaving for work.
Q. But I don't have a website yet.
A. Neither do I. I know, I am selling mobile websites and don't have my own. But having your own website isn't going to get you clients, contacting clients is going to get you clients.
Q. But I don't have a smartphone to check the mobile sites.
A. Neither do I. I understand the irony of selling mobile sites and not owning a smartphone. I will get one soon. I check using online mobile simulators, there are plenty out there. I also sometimes use my brother's iPod Touch, it has wifi.
Q. Isn't it unethical to sell things you don't have yourself?
A. No because I am not lying. I know what I am talking about and know what I am offering and can answer their questions. I know more than them, so I am more of an expert on the matter than they are, and they would agree.
Q. This will make a good WSO. Can you make one showing step by step steps for people that want to take step by step baby steps?
A. If you still need a WSO, you don't want to make money or work hard or sell or do anything else. You just want to read.
Q. I have a million more questions before I am confident I can get started.
A. JUST. DO. IT. If anything comes up, just ask people on this forum. And then get off the forum and get back to work.
I am not sure if I will have time to reply to posts or to PMs. I am busy working full time and then come home and deal with my designers and send follow up emails. I know people here have helped (although I have also gotten scammed for $500 by a certain offline coach) and that I should give back. This thread is my way of giving back.
I am still a believer in cold calling and would actually say that I would likely have much better results and more clients if I did cold calling. But if you read some of my other threads, I currently work full time during business hours. But that did not stop me.
Here is what I did:
1. I paid someone to research websites that are not mobile-optimized and gather contact information.
2. I sent emails to them to offer them mobile websites.
3. If anyone called, I stepped outside at work to answer, and took notes on what they said. If I needed to make any calls to follow up, I did it during breaks.
4. After they gave the go ahead, I showed them a mock version of what their mobile site looks like, then made any changes based on what they said. I am paying someone else to make the mobile sites.
5.Then took payment, then transferred the site.
You can do something similar for whatever service you are offering.
Notice, I did not try to sell or convince anyone, because I simply don't have the time. This way, the only people that reply are people that are interested.
I left out some details, like how I processed payment, how I outsourced, what I wrote in the emails.
Why? Because there are many ways of doing these things, pick one, and go ahead, if it doesn't work pick something else. I also don't have time to write out every single detail.
Just know that I have no experience in copywriting, I work in a lab. I have been studying internet marketing for almost 4 years, made almost nothing, because I kept reading. Took action a few weeks ago, and...
That's just the first client, more are in the process. This is not to brag, but to show everyone that it can be done if you just take action. I am not an overnight millionaire or anything close, but I made something, which is better than nothing.
Also, a small part of my conversation with this first client today. Paraphrasing, not word for word.
C (without being prompted): Thanks, and I will recommend you to all my friends.
Me: Do you have anyone in mind?
C: Yes, two actually. I will talk to them and have all their information for your tomorrow.
Me: Great, their emails and phone number would be great.
This was an easy client to deal with. I have had harder ones. Yes there are more, payments should be made later this week or next week.
I now have to find a way to organize all the different projects so I don't get confused with the links, emails, etc. Its a good problem, but a problem nonetheless. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
FOR FAQs SAKES:
(Ok not all of these are actually in question form, but they are all those negative thoughts holding you back)
Q.Didn't you lose clients by not following up properly, and not trying to sell or convince, since you are working?
A. Maybe, but I also have clients who are going ahead with me, which I wouldn't if I didn't take any action. Its all in your head, not too many ask about your location, or your business hours, a lot of them ask for sample work, but surprisingly not all of them do.
Q. I cannot access email at work.
A. Neither can I. I go home and send them. Or I send them before leaving for work.
Q. But I don't have a website yet.
A. Neither do I. I know, I am selling mobile websites and don't have my own. But having your own website isn't going to get you clients, contacting clients is going to get you clients.
Q. But I don't have a smartphone to check the mobile sites.
A. Neither do I. I understand the irony of selling mobile sites and not owning a smartphone. I will get one soon. I check using online mobile simulators, there are plenty out there. I also sometimes use my brother's iPod Touch, it has wifi.
Q. Isn't it unethical to sell things you don't have yourself?
A. No because I am not lying. I know what I am talking about and know what I am offering and can answer their questions. I know more than them, so I am more of an expert on the matter than they are, and they would agree.
Q. This will make a good WSO. Can you make one showing step by step steps for people that want to take step by step baby steps?
A. If you still need a WSO, you don't want to make money or work hard or sell or do anything else. You just want to read.
Q. I have a million more questions before I am confident I can get started.
A. JUST. DO. IT. If anything comes up, just ask people on this forum. And then get off the forum and get back to work.
I am not sure if I will have time to reply to posts or to PMs. I am busy working full time and then come home and deal with my designers and send follow up emails. I know people here have helped (although I have also gotten scammed for $500 by a certain offline coach) and that I should give back. This thread is my way of giving back.
-- Darren Rowse, Founder - Problogger